Army Engineers want wetlands for Sandusky Bay

Thursday, 06 October 2005

Proposal would create wetlands using material dredged from bay channels.

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments on using dredged materials to create wetlands in Sandusky Bay.

The corps has sent information to area marinas and businesses to gauge the interest level for this project.

"Basically, the reason we are looking at it is because it is a beneficial way to reuse the dredging material," said Jay Miller, environmental coordinator. "We looked at it in Sandusky Bay because it is a bay and there would be less wave action.

"Keep in mind, this is just really a conceptual thing right now -- this is not an approved or funded project," he said.

The navigation channels in Sandusky Bay are dredged almost every year, and the clay and silt is deposited into a pre-determined and approved spot in Lake Erie, Miller said.

If the project to create wetland habitats in Sandusky Bay moves forward, the six habitats would likely be placed along the coast. Proposed locations include near the Cedar Point peninsula.

Miller said boaters wouldn't be able to go near these areas because they would be filled with dredged materials.

But the wetlands wouldn't be in the navigational channels anyway, he said.

Wetlands would provide wildlife habitats and help endangered species, Miller said.

Miller said the bay itself is considered a wetland. Also, a large portion of the shoreline and areas surrounding the bay are also wetlands.

Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards said the park is reviewing the proposal, and has no additional comment.

The Corps is also seeking to identify a potential non-federal sponsor that would be willing to cost-share a wetland creation project.

There is no cost estimate, Miller said.

Dave Roseler with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft in Sandusky said he will make his comments soon.

"Depending on what is done, there will be impacts to boating and navigating," he said of the wetland project.

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